Dental Assistant

HopeHealth Inc • Florence, SC, US, SC

8d • Onsite

About The Position

Under the general supervision of a Dentist in a clinical setting, assists the dentist in providing dental treatment while managing patients pre/post operatively.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• CPR certification.
• Ability to set up and prepare dental materials and instrumentation per established regulations and guidelines.
• Communicates thoroughly both pre-operative and post-operative procedures.
• Ability to manage the dental office infection control plan to meet SC regulatory standards.
• Ability to properly expose digital radiographs utilizing the least amount of x-ray exposure to the patient and staff.
• Knows and operates under the specifications stated by SCDA

Nice To Haves

• Certified Dental Assistant preferred and/or Radiation Safety Exam Certificate via SCDA.
• Previous chairside assisting in general dentistry for 2+ years preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conducts pre-operative intake processes such as vital readings, reviews the medical history, and provides procedural information.
• Appropriately establishes needs for patient treatment set-up which includes barriers, instrumentation, and materials; has X-rays and critical data readily available for the provider.
• Takes and prepares radiographs using digital technology with minimal cone cutting, shortening or elongation, and other improper qualities that would render an image non-diagnostic.
• Provides proper 4-handed dentistry techniques chairside to assist the Dentist and anticipates the provider’s needs while also effectively managing the needs of the patient.
• At the conclusion of patient care, assist the patient with clear post-operative instructions and walks the patient to the front office for a soft handoff.
• Monitors the flow of laboratory cases, referrals and follow up communication.
• Monitors and records sterilization cycles on Sterilization Logs.
• Maintains and inventories supplies in designated operatory, and in supply overhead. Rotates stock, monitors for expired product.
• Helps to manage patient flow in the clinic by reviewing the schedule and anticipating where assistant needs may be required.
• Cleans and sterilizes all instruments; helps to manage the dental office infection control plan to meet regulatory standards.
• Participates in the ongoing evaluation of Dental Program operations to assure the delivery of high-quality services that support the financial sustainability of the program.
• Assists with dental charting during operative and hygiene appointments, which may include periodontal charting.
• Assists in the prevention and management of dental emergencies.
• Takes high-quality impressions, pours models with no bubbles, properly trims models, polishes dental prostheses, and makes vac-u-press forms.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Polish the patient’s teeth to remove stains and soft deposits
• Apply topical fluoride/varnishes and sealants
• Remove surgical sutures
• Place and remove packing cord
• Fabricate temporary crowns
• Place topical medications
• Remove excess cement from fabricated restoration and orthodontic bands.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED